poulenc



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

RPOULBNC. PHOTOGRAPHIG DEVELOPING TANK.

.wb n f.

Patented Oct. 29, 1895.

AN DREW asn/AMM, PHOTO'LITNUWASM N GTO NA D C 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

RPOULBlw` PHOTOGRAPHIG DEVELOPING TANK.

Patented 0013.29, 1895.

.PMOT0UTHO. WASHINGTON D C Unitime@ STATES PATENT Ormes.

EMILE POULENC, 0F PARIS, FRANCE.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING-TAN K.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,787, dated October 29, 1895.

Application filed December 15. 1894. Serial No. 531,923. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, EMILE PoULENc, a citizen of the Republic of France, and a resident of Paris, in the said Republic of France, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Portable DevelopingTanks for Photography, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to providein a very small compass a portable developingtank in which the development of photographic impressions can be effected in any place in full daylight and, if necessary, immediately after the taking of the impression and out of doors far from any dark-room.

This developing-tank has the general form of a frame or plate-holder. It is constructed in such fashion that the plate on which the photographic impression is to be developed can be easily introduced into it without risking its exposure to the light. When once in the l tank, the plate is perfectly visible from the exterior through walls of colored glass, with which the tank is provided, to permit the observation of the process of development with the greatest facility, while maintaining the plate sheltered from the chemical rays. The said tank is easily taken apart for the cleaning of all parts of its interior, which is a condition essential to the success of its operations. At the same time precautions are taken to assure an absolute tightness, though the glass walls with which the tank is furnished are completely removable. This removability facilitates the cleaning and permits the rapid replacement of any glasses which may have been broken. Convenient provision is afforded for iilling the tank successively with different liquids necessary and for the discharge of said liquids therefrom in such manner that, if necessary, not only the development and the washing of the plate, but also its fixation, may be performed without taking it out of the tank.

For the introduction into the tank of the plate to be developed I provide a special holder, into which, after the impression is taken upon it, the plate is transferred from the photographic holder in which the impression has been taken. This transfer is performed under any dark veil whatever, with which the Whole is surrounded, without its being necessary to enter into a dark-room.

This auxiliary frame or holder, which constitutes a sort of intermediary lock between the holder in which the impression is taken and the developing-tank, is organized in such manner as to be adapted upon a removable frame, which surmounts the developing-tank and forms an automatic shutter, and which when in this position permits by a very small movement the rapid falling of the plate into the tank. This special frame or holder may be so constructed as to serveas the holderin which the impression is taken, and thus render the above-mentioned manipulation unnecessary.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings represents a front view, partly in section, of my developing-tank furnished with its auxiliary holder. Fig. 2 represents a transverse vertical section in the line 2 2 of Fig.1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the intermediate frame, which is interposed between the auxiliary holder and the developing-tank, properly so called. In this gure there is represented in dotted lines the sole of the auxiliary holder partly engaged in the corresponding slideway of the intermediate removable frame. Fig. 4t represents a horizontal section of the auxiliary holder in the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 represents a vertical section of an analogous holder, but constructed to serve as the holder in which the photographic impression is taken. Fig. 6 isaview partly in elevation and partly in section of an intermediary reducing-frame which is placed in the developingtank for the development of plates of smaller dimensions than the maximum for which the tank is constructed.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the gures.

A in the drawings is the developing-tank, properly so called; B, the auxiliary holder,. and C the intermediate frame, which serves to adapt the holder B to the tank A. This frame Ccontains an automatic safety-shutter to prevent daylight from reaching the plateA which has fallen into the tank, if before the withdrawal of the holder B the closing of the shutter with which the developing-tank is furnished should have been forgotten.

The developing-tank A is constituted by a rectangular wooden frame, in which are set two walls a of red glass. The space com- IOO prised between these tWo glasses constitute the developing'chamber into which the plate is introduced through the slot d at the top and the chemical reagent liquids are introduced by the feeder 12, which is furnished with a stop-cock.

0.3 is a vent at the top of the tank for the exit of air during the filling, and t4 is an opening furnished with acock for discharging the liquids.

When the plate to be developed is in the tank, its lateral edges are engaged in grooves al in the tank in such manner that they cannot come in contact with the glasses a, and that they Will be always Well bathed by the liquid.

As I have above mentioned, I have constructed the tank in such manner that it may be very easily taken apart for the purpose of facilitating the cleaning and also the replacement of broken glasses. For this purpose the Wooden frame is composed of three parts b b b2, which are tongued and grooved together' and receive between them in rabbets the glasses a, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The slot ct, provided for the entrance of the plate, is in the middle element ZJ. In order to insure tightness, the glasses are furnished at their edges on both faces with packing-strips of india-rubber a5, against which the edges of the frame are pressed by nuts b3 on assemblingscrews b4, which pass through the three thicknesses b b b2 of the frame. It Will be understood that by removing these nuts the developing-tank may be taken all to pieces.

To insure the solidity and rigidity of the whole structure the exterior faces of the outside elements b b2 of the frame are covered with sheet-iron b5, which receives the pressure of the nuts b3 and the heads of the assemblingscrews b4.

In the example represented the element b of the frame has in its bottom a slot and in its sides a groove, into which may be introduced a supplementary red glass d, held in place by a button b. Now if it should be desired to take out this glass for the more easy observation of the progress of development it is sufficient to turn this button in such manner as to leave open the slot in the bottom of the frame through which the glass has been introduced. The element b2 may also, like the element b', be provided with a groove for the reception of a second additional red glass.

The developing-tank is furnished With a shutter, which permits the closing of the slot a', through which the plate to be developed is introduced'. This shutter consists of a small plate of ebonite c, normally located in the slot in the outside element b2 and capable of entering and closing the slot ct in the middle element l). This shutter c is constantly drawn outward by small india-rubber springs c', fastened at their ends to the element b2 and passing through holes in the said shutter c. (See Fig. 2.) Buttons c2 maintain this shutter in its inner position shown in Fig. 2, in which it closes the slot a; but if these buttons are turned aside to the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. l the said shutter c, obeying the action of the india-rubber springs, slides outward and leaves the slot a open. Finally, the developing-tank hasin its upper part a slideway d for the reception ot the intermediate frame C. The latter is put in place by sliding it in the direction of the arrow l0 in Fig. l. Astop d', with which it is furnished at one end, stops it when in place. Aspring-catch d2, arranged at its opposite end, hooks over the body of the tank to prevent the Withdrawal of this frame C until the said springcatch is raised by hand. The said frame C has in it a vertical slot e', which forms a prolongation of the slot a in the box to permit the plate to descend into the tank. This slot e is kept closed bythe safety-shutter, which I have hereinbefore mentioned. This shutter is constituted by a small sliding plate e, Figs. l and 2, which slides Within the frame C across the slot e', and which is ordinarily held across the said slot e by springs e2, Fig. 3. The shutter e uncovers this slot automatically When the auxiliary holder B is placed upon the intermediate frame C. For this purpose the saidholder is furnished with a metallic sole f3, which is engaged by a movement in the direction of the arrovv ll, Fig. 3, in a corresponding slideway e3 in the frame C. Duringthis movement theinclined edge f4 of the sole f3 encounters a pin e4, aixed to the shutter e, and by its action on this pin pushes the shutter laterally by overcoming the action of the springs e2 in such manner that the slot e is opened automatically, as shown in Fig. 2. Vhen the holder B in sliding in the direction ot' the arrow ll, Fig. 3, has arrived in the position which it should occupy upon the frame U,itis stopped bythe meeting of its projection f5 (see Fig. 4) with a shoulder e5 (see Fig. 3) on the coveringplate e6 of the slide e3.

The holder B contains a space g for the rcception ot' the plate, which isintroduced into it through the slot g', which prolongs the said space to the exterior and Which comes directly above the slots e and d' when the said holder is in place upon the frame C.

The plate is retained in the holder B by a shutter-plate g2,\vbich closes the slot g. This plate is carried by the Wall g3 of the holder, which is so articulated at its upper part, as shown at g4, Fig. 2, that its lower part may be moved toor fromthe opposite Wall g5. /Vhen it has been moved toward the said Wall g5, as shown in Fig. 2, the shutter g2 prevents the plate from coming out, the Wall g3 being retained in this position by the engagement of a small bolt g( behind the plate gi; but if this bolt be raised above this plate the springs g8 push the Wall g3 and the shutter g2 outward, which permits the introduction or exit of the plate.

The details of construction having been IOD described, I will explain the mode in which the apparatus is used.

The iirst operation to be performed is to place the plate in the auxiliary holder B. For this purpose, this holder being separated from the rest of the apparatus, the bolt g6 is raised in such manner as to permit the opening of the shutter g2. Then the plate is taken out of the holder in which it was obtained and introduced through the slot g into the space g. The wall g3 of the holder is then pushed inward and the bolt g, which is subject to the action of the spring, engages with the plate g7 in such manner that the space g containing the plate is closed. It must be understood that the operation of charging the holder B should be done while the plate is sheltered from the light, and for that purpose it sufces to perform this operation in a sort of sleeve or bag of black cloth, into which the operator introduces his arms through suitable openings. This operation is performed easily by feeling, without the help of sight.

If it be desired to avoid the transportation of the impressed plate into an auxiliary holder, the holder B itself may be used as the holder in which to take the impression. In order that this may be possible, the fixed Wall g5 of the holder is replaced by a movable curtain, as shown in Fig. 5. When the holderB is charged and closed, it is taken out of the dark-sleeve and slid into place upon the intermediate frame C, which movement produces the opening of the shutter e. The shutter c is then opened after turning the buttons c2 into the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. l. The operator then raises the bolt g6 to open the slot g and the plate falls into the developing tank. He then closes the shutter c by pushing it inward and by returning the buttons c2 to the position shown in full outline.

It may easily be understood what remains to be done is to develop the plate, to wash it, and then to x it, if desired. The glass walls of non actinic color permit the observation of the progress of these operations without danger.

When it is desired to clean the apparatus, the intermediate frame C is removed and the nuts b3 are unscrewed. The apparatus can then be taken to pieces and the several parts separately washed.

The apparatus may be constructed for plates of large size and yet be made to serve at need for those of smaller size. For this purpose I introduce into the developing-tank and into the holder B intermediaries, as is done in analogous cases in ordinary plateholders.

The intermediary which I introduce into the developing-tank is represented in Fig. 6 and consists of a reducing-frame, which is designated as a whole by the letter M. This frame has longitudinal grooves m in the interiors of its right and left hand sides, which communicate with a slot m5 in its upper end, and the said. frame has on the exterior of each of its sides a longitudinal tongue mi, said tongue on the right side being shown in Fig. 6. To permit the introduction of this frame M into the developing-tank, the element b2 of the said tank is removed and the tongue mi* on the right-hand side of the said frame M is inserted laterally into the vertical groove a7 of the element b, thereby flattening the spring m', which is attached to the exterior of the said tongue mit The corresponding tongue m* on the opposite side is then brought opposite the corresponding groove a7 of the element h. On the spring m being allowed to assume its normal condition it presses the frame to the left, and so engages the tongue m* on the left with its corresponding groove a7. The reducingframe M is thus solidly secured in the two grooves a7 of the element b by the pressure of the spring m. The element b2 is then replaced and secured by the screws h4 and nuts b3. The plate to be developed is introduced through the slot a in the top of the element b and through the slot 'm5 in the reducing frame into the grooves m of the said frame.

I-Ioles m2 m3 m4 are provided in the reducing-frameMin proper relation to the conduits a2 a3 a4 of the developing-tank to permit the access of liquid to the plate, the escape of air from the tank, and the discharge of the liquid therefrom.

In Fig. 5 H represents another intermediaryframe or holder, which has been placed in the holder B in the same manner as the intermediary or reducing frame M is placed in the developing-tank. The lower side of this intermediary frame I-I has in it a slot to allow the passage of the plate K, which is retained in a suitable position for receiving the photographic impression by resting upon a spring k, affixed to the movable Wall g3. When the latter is spread outward by reason of the withdrawal of the bolt g, the extremity of the spring la passes from under the plate K at the same time that the shutter g2 opens the slot g and permits the plate K to fall into the intermediary M of the developing-tank.

By the term plate in this specification I mean to in clude a plate or sheet of any material upon which a photograph is taken, Whether it be a positive or negative.

Although the accompanying drawings represent the construction of the apparatus which I preferably employ, I do not limit myself, strictly, to the details represented and described. For instance, the developing-tank may be constructed of any other suitable material than wood. Moreover, the intermediate frame C may be dispensed with and the holder B be attached directly to the developing-tank, which would in that case be furnished with a shutter like e or like c, or with shutters like both of these, and any other suitable mode of securing the elements b b b2 together and of securing the glasses may be employed.

IOC

IIO

Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. A portable developing tank for photography constituted of three separable parts b b b2 for the reception of the holder B containing a plate to be developed, substantially as herein described.

2. The combination with the developing tank A consisting of the three separable parts b b b2 in the middle one of which is a slottor the entrance of a plate, of a sliding shutter normally located in one of the outer parts, springs consisting of strips of india rubber attached to said shutter and to the tank for drawing said shutter across said slot and closing the entrance to thetank, and buttons on the tank for retaining the shutter in the closed position, substantially as herein described.

3; The combination with the developing tank A and the plate holder B, of the intermediate frame C containing a passage e for the transit of the plate from said holder to said tank,a shutter e in said frame C for closing said passage and springs for automatically closing said shutter, substantially as herein described.

4. The combination with the developing tank A, the intermediate frame C, and the plate holder B adapted to slide into place on the said frame, of the sliding shutter e titted to the said frame and furnished with a pin e4, and the metallic sole f3 having an inclined edge f 4 to act upon said pin for automatically opening said shutter by the act of placing the said holder on the said frame, substantially as herein described.

5. The combination with the plate holder B having an opening in the bottom and having an inwardly and outwardly movable wall g3, of a shutter plate g2 attached to said movable wall for closing said opening when the said wall is moved inward, a bolt gG applied to said movable wall for keeping said shutter closed and a spring g8 applied to said'movable wall for opening` said shutter, substantially as herein set forth.

6. The combination with the developing tank having conduits a2 and a4 for feeding and discharging the liquids and a vent conduit a3, of a reducing frame M having openings mz m3 m4 corresponding with said conduits, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMILE POULENC. Vitnesses:

ALoIsTE FARE, HENRY THIELSE. 

